Modelling of the mean flow under water waves

What is it about?

As waves evolve on the ocean surface, they induce a mean flow to the fluid particles. Near the surface, fluid particles experience a net horizontal displacement in the same direction as the water wave propagation, the so-called Stokes drift, which decays with depth. A return flow in the fluid column along vertical and horizontal directions guarantees the conservation of the water-mass transport, causing localized variations in the mean water level under wave groups at a finite water depth (setdown). An accurate description of the mean flow is, thus, necessary for the proper reconstruction of the fluid particle trajectories underneath water waves. We propose a new expression of the mean flow which is valid from intermediate to deep waters.

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Photo by Carlos Torres on Unsplash

Photo by Carlos Torres on Unsplash